The second Prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the broadcasts made by Kanu led to the killing of a former Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to ex-President Gooluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak and others.
The official of the Department of State Services (DSS), with Pseudo name BBB, made this known, as proceedings resumed on Thursday.
The witness, who said he was part of the DSS’ team that investigated the complaint made against Kanu by the then Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, said the defendant’s broadcast also led to the killing other prominent Nigerians.
He added that, from the DSS investigation, they found that Kanu founded IPOB and ESN, which is the armed wing of IPOB, and that he was the leader of both groups.
The witness added that they also found that Radio Biafra was not registered in Nigeria and that owing to Kanu’s broadcast, Police stations in Lagos were burnt by his followers.
The witness also added that Kanu did not only call for the killing of security officers, he called for them to be beheaded, which they did.
However in the video recording played in Court, Nnamdi Kanu, in an interview with Prosecution witness, in his words admitted to being the leader of IPOB and ESN and also admitted to making a series of broadcasts during the EndSARS protests.
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In the recorded video interview played in Court, Kanu said “any form of violence that occurred in Lagos during the protest can not be attributed to him as Lagos is not a Biafran State”
Kanu said he does not have authority over his members, adding that if he had authority over them he would not have subscribed to referendum, he would have just pronounced Biafra into existence.
In the video, Kanu denied that IPOB is responsible for the violent attacks in some parts of the South East and the killings witnessed, adding that “IPOB is a peaceful movement. The IPOB is a non violent movement.”
Kanu faulted the invasion of his house by armed soldiers, which he said accounted for why he left the country for fear of being killed, arguing that the invasion was unnecessary.
Counsel for Kanu however refused to cross-examine the Prosecution’s 2nd witness, after giving his evidence in chief, saying they need time to consult with their client, while asking for the matter to be adjourned to May 21.
However, the Prosecution counsel objected to the long adjournment because the Court had granted an accelerated hearing in the case, prompting Justice James Omotosho to adjourn to 14th, 21st and 22nd May for continuation of hearing.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
